The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1887-08-18

American weather. From that simple begin
ming Mr. Erkenbrecher built on until the
"ZOOn Of today is the result, owned 10y stock
company with a capital Of S225OOO, which
has spent $3.50 900 on the grounds and their
identifying and improvement and IN the pur-
chase Of animals for the instruction and
amusement Of the people Of Cincinnati and
the Ohio valley The feature Of the institu-
ton Is that it is emphatcaly not money
making investment II is expressly provided
that not dollar Of dividends shall ever be
divided among the stockholders, but all prof
its shall be put into improvements and the
purchase Of animals for the garden.
Forty-fve acres Of pasture field, out on the
hiltops, some miles from Fountain square,
the central point from which all Cincinnatians
begin a departure for every place but heaven,
have been transformed into "a beautiful park
I'm the thirteen years since the Geological gar
den as "A fixed institution succeeded 20 the Ac-
climatization society. In the matter Of varie-
ties of trees few parks or gardens IN the country
excel il vet comparatively little time on money
has been spent in ornamentation, the aim
having been 30 pay especial attention 10 the
selection of rare and valuable animals In
that particular it probably leads all the gar
dens i'm the United States, while the more
common varieties are, Of course, very fully
represented also, from the unwieldy "bahy"
hippOp0tamus down 70 prairie dogs and
rattlesnakes Here are TO be seen probably
the finest specimens of buffalo in the
world. those late "mOnarchs Of the western
plains that have been so recently
hunted out Of existence where they were
supposed 10 live in countless millions only
few years ago. The great shaggy bull IS
nominally valued at 5000 but be could not
be duplicated for $4,000 Several calves
have been sold and considerable revenue
obtained i'm that way, but hereafter they Will
be- kept The only ground hornbil In Ameri-
ca is kept in "A big cage in the aviary, recent
importation from Africa, worth perhaps 500
ormore. but which, in spite Of his price, would
baye rather a suggestion of the vulture and
turkey buzzard in his appearance If 1t was
not for the gorgeous and unique collection Of
bric-a-brac carried around on his head and
mostly on his bill, and the formidable name
of Buc. Abyssinius upon his door plate A
black wolf is another rare animal and proba-
bly, could not be duplicated for any reason
able price-if anybody really wanted mate
30 the one here A couple OF great, shaggy,
EfuNlSl Mlllt / tihi bttiH arc nhAt ~ w
worth a.. 900 apiece now, though only sixteen
inches high when brought here They form
a conspicuous part Of what is said TO be the
finest collection of bears in America, at least
in the United States
And as for girafles, the Cincinnati garden
has the largest one in captivity, mild look
ing aggregation Of long neck and longer legs
the two of which couldn't be replaced for
$2OO0O if they should pass off in fatal at
tack of quinsy, and which always make
Adam Forepaugh green with envy
when he sees them, ne he often does.
A singular feature Of these animals
is that they are perfectly mute. With such
length OF throat one is at a loss 10 know
whether inability % give voice 90 the feelings
should be source Of regret or self gratula-
hon. point on which the giraffe has always
been silent Despite quiet manners and mild
looks. the giraffe is one Of the very'worst fell
lows TO fight that has ever been heard from,
for he carries on triangular battle, strik-
ing with his head simultaneously with his
fore feet, while he is kicking with his hind
feet as quickly and as heavily as a half dozen
mules rolled into one. Nobody ever cares 10
have the second quarrel with giraffe